- 01/04/04 - Green Bay vs Seattle: The game was even on key calls -- and in just about every other way.
Josh Brown's 30-yard field goal on Seattle's opening drive was matched by Longwell's (Packers K) 31-yarder in the second quarter. Later, another Brown field goal, a 35-yarder made it 6-3.
Early on, the Seahawks shut down Ahman Green, who rushed for 1,883 yards this season. But he came on late, particularly on short-yardage plays.
After falling behind 20-13, Green Bay covered 60 yards in 12 plays. Seven times in the regular season when the Packers were faced with a 3rd-and-1 they gave the ball to Green, and seven times he got the first down. The Seahawks made mad it seven for eight, stalling Green just short of the mark. Packer head coach Mike Sherman gambled that the Seahawks couldn't stop Ahman twice and on fourth-and-1 Green converted from the 3 before surging into the end zone to tie it with 10:01 left.
Green later converted another fourth-and-1 at the Seattle 42, although he appeared to fumble. Holmgren vehemently argued he could challenge, but referee Bernie Kukar said no. (Green's forward progress had stopped and video replay cannot be used when the timing of the ref's whistle is in question.) Eight plays later, Green scored for the lead but the Seahawks would tie the game late in the fourth quarter to force overtime.
In OT, Green Bay CB Al Harris picked off Matt Hasselbeck's throw and headed to the end zone. Only Hasselbeck had a chance to tackle Harris, but he couldn't get there. Harris scored the first defensive touchdown to win an overtime playoff game in NFL history.
Green finished the game with just 66 yards on 23 carries (2.9 avg) but the Packers re-utlized Green as a short-yardage reciever (something they haven't done as often this season as they did in 2002), he had 44 yards on 5 receptions.
- 01/04/04 - Carolina vs Dallas: Just as they did in their last home playoff game against the Cowboys seven years ago, the Panthers celebrated their 29-10 victory against Dallas with a victory lap around Ericsson Stadium. Safety Mike Minter seemingly spent more energy running from corner to corner than he did in holding the Cowboys to 204 yards.
The Panthers had no penalties, not a single turnover, not a mistake that would make any difference. The game plan was perfect, the execution all but flawless.
"I know you can't be perfect," safety Mike Minter said, "but this is pretty close, pretty close."
Minter said the Panthers made a point of making a statement. And they did it with their play, not their mouths. From the opening kickoff, the Panthers owned the game, and Minter said he could see it in the Cowboys' faces.
"You could see it in their eyes," he said. "They were stunned. We jumped on them early and they never got their feet under them." (The State-SC & The Herald)
- 01/04/04 - Carolina vs Dallas: Everything could have possibly changed for the Cowboys offense early in the second quarter. The Cowboys drove to the Carolina 20. Carolina held a 6-0 lead but its defense had let up a 28-yard pass from Carter to receiver Joey Galloway. But four plays later, fullback Richie Anderson fumbled as he stumbled to the ground.
Cowboys receiver Antonio Bryant was there waiting on the fumble, but the ball scooted underneath him and between his legs, where Panthers safety Mike Minter covered it. Parcells challenged the play, but the replay was conclusive. Carolina took over at its own 11, having dodged the Cowboys' best bullet. (The Star-Telegram)
- 01/04/04 - Carolina vs Dallas: Cowboys LB Scott Shanle was declared inactive for the game and did not play.
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